Finally: a REAL update.

Alright lets cut to the chase!

My day in London was so much fun!

Kara Priday took me around and showed me allll of the touristy sights. I love london, the buses sound like a cartoon bus, my sneezes are different, it smells different, waffles taste amazing, and you read everything in your head with an accent. I could definitely come back. Thanks Kara for spending the day with me and delaying your studies!!

While boarding the plan to Nairobi they played "this time for Africa" by Shakira. Its basically the song of my summer and I can't get enough of it! To hear it playing only got me more pumped! I saw my first african sunrise while we landed in the ghetto kenya airport. Dark hallways... not much security... and lots of languages I didn't understand.
I met up with a few other volunteers for the last leg of our trip to Uganda!

Its beautiful here. Everywwhere is greener than green! Which contracts beautifully with the red dirt that is also everywhere. (Even my hairs redder from it)
I live in Lugazi, Uganda in a village called Nakazedde (translation: Fertile women). The amount of kids that reside in this neighborhood is unbelievable! Its kind of fun to have a parade of children everywhere we go. They sing to us as we walk up our hill on our way to projects, then as we're coming home for dinner. Seula Boulungie!

This is my view every evening on our way home

This has definitely been a summer full of adventures!
First off, I love the people that I meet here. The children are adorable and the old women show us up everyday when it comes to manual labor. I feel the need to use machetes for everything! Whether its opening a package, chopping down a tree, or just cutting red tape; a machete is now a basic tool in my mind.

Jovan- our cooks son.

A few weeks ago our cook Rose's sister had a little baby boy! My country directors and I went to meet him and give the mom a newborn package with clothes, blankets, etc. Then they all decided that we should NAME the boy! We tried to tell them no but they really wanted us to. So we decided on Benjamin. It instantly took with everyone there and he's now Baby Benji! He's perfect and adorable.

Baby Benji

I have millions of pictures to add! I promise to make time for another post. Particularly with pictures of our projects, vacations and adventures.
Thanks for everything!

Bombings in Kampala

Just sending a quick note that I'm safe!
Its been an eventful last few days here but with recent information we're finally done with our lockdown and out of the house getting back to work!
Sorry for the lack of updates... the internet is slow and unreliable. And it really doesn't like blogger so its extra slow on here. I'll post pictures once I can resize them and bring them back to the internet cafe.
Thanks for your love and concern!

Oliotyah!!

Hello!
So I wrote a long post.... but the power keeps going out at the internet (little room in the village with 5 computers). So I've offically given up this week haha. Welcome to Lugazi!
But I'm here and I'm safe and I'm loving every moment.

Love you! Waybalay!

Chelsea

Hello Friends!!

Currently I'm in Vegas about to get on a plane that will take me o New York, then London, then Nairobi, and FINALLY Uganda!
For those who didn't know I'm traveling to Lugazi, Uganda with HELP International. They are a wonderful program and we've planned many projects to help the people become more self sufficient. I'll be there until August 26th and I'm SO excited! Seriously I just want to get there!
Luckily in London I have a 13 hour layover so I'm meeting up with my good friend Kara Priday and we're going to a parade to meet the queen. Then its off exploring! (Pictures will be posted)
I'll be updating my blog with projects we've been working on and experiences I have in Uganda in general from an internet cafe. Feel free to email me at chelseamwooten@gmail.com, I would love it!
BIG thank you to those of you that have donated money to the projects that we'll be working on. It means so much to me! This blog is mainly so you can see where your donations are going and what we're doing with it.
If you have not donated I am still 1500 short and ANYTHING will help right now!
Just go to help-international.org and clock Donate. Make sure that you click "designation" and put my name and country "chelsea wooten Uganda" so that your donation goes towards my projects.
I can't wait to meet the people there and do what I can to help!
Thanks for your love and support!!! Love you!